Kailroad switch



(No Model.) v 2 SheetsSheet 1. M. B. MILLS.

RAILROAD SWITCH APPLIANCE.

No. 404,214. Patented May 28, 1889.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. B. MILLS.

\ RAILROAD SWITCH APPLIANCE.

No. 404,214. Patented May 28, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORTIMER B. MILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RAILROAD-SWITCH APPLIANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,214, dated May 28, 1889.

- Application filed December 20, 1888. $erial No. 294 186. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORTIMER B. MILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Switch Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement relates to means for operating the switches in railroad-tracks, my principal object being to provide reliably-operating mechanism which may be readily actuated at any desired distance from the switch to be thrown by the employment of pneumatic or other force.

My invention consists in the general construction of my improved mechanism; and it also consists in details of construct-ion and combinations of parts.

I11 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows my improved mechanism in plan view with a pneumatic apparatus for operating it. Fig. 2 shows the same in sectional side elevation, and Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of details of construction.

The mechanism which is immediately connected with the switch (not shown) through the medium of a connectingbar, A, is supported on a suitable base, which I provide in the form of a covered box, B, having latererally-extending perforated ears 4 through which it may be bolted to a head-block. (Not shown.)

C is an air-receiver, which, though it may involve any of Various forms for my purpose, is preferred of the form shown, which comprises a rounded metal shell formed in two flanged parts, 4' and 1", which are bolted together around the flanges, the latter holding between them the edge of a flexible (preferably rubber) diaphragm, D, which may be strengthened about its center on opposite sides by metal plates q and q, the first-named having an internally-threaded socket, (1 on its face. Each part 1' and 4" has an opening, that in the latter to permit the connection of a pipe, 19, which leads from air-pressure mechanism (an air-pump, not shown) in the inclosnre or house from which the switches are operated, but which is not shown in the drawings, and that in the latter to permit a rackrod, E, hereinafter described, to be screwed at box transversely thereof, and thus horizon tally across the rack-bar E, being supported in bearings in the sides beyond wlnch the ends of the horizontal shaft project, as shown.

The end of the shaft F at the side of the box nearest the switch may be formed into a tongue, Z, Fig. 3, to be inserted into a socket, Z, in a head, F, Fig. 4, being secured therein by a pin, Z passed transversely through the head and tongue, and at opposite sides of the socket I; but at different distances therefrom are apertures and it, through one of which and the adjacent end of the connecting-rod A, a bolt is passed to join the rod to the head eccentrically of the shaft F. In the box the shaft carries loosely a pinion, E, in engagement with the rack and having integral with it one half, 1', of a clutch, G, and on the same shaft is the other part, 2', of the clutch G, formed on or secured to one side of a ratchetwheel, H, on the" opposite side of which is formed or secured a double cam, I, the details 1', II, and I being rigidly secured to the shaft. Above the shaft F is a stationary rod, 77., supporting a dog, h, engaging with the ratchet H, and held against lateral play between two sections of pipe, b surrounding the rod, and which thus perform the function of stationary collars confining the oscillatory dog between them. In Fig. 1 this construction is intended to be represented by the termination of the two sections of pipe 7%, respect ively, at opposite sides of the annular portion or hub of the dog. The projecting end of the shaft F opposite that with which the rod A is connected carries a clutch, G, the part 2' of which is secured to the shaft, while the part i is loose thereon and provided with a handle, K. The parts i and 2' of the respective clutches G and l are held in normal yielding engagement with the corresponding parts '11 and i by means of the springs f'and f.

In the box 13, near its farther end, is supported tral'isversely thereof a rockshaft, Ii, having secured to it a detent, M, having a hub, g, on the shaft, a finger, g, bent at its extremity, as shown at a, which normally en gages with one of the double cams I, and an arm, g extending downward in the box past a side of the rack-bar It, which is provided near its extremity with a rigid arm, 0, extending horizontally therefrom across the plane through which the arm g extends.

A branch pipe, 1.), is joined at one end to the a-ir-pipep and runs therefrom through the opposite sides of the box 13 back to the operating-house, wherein it may terminate in a whistle, (I, or communicate with any form of signaling device capable of being actuated by pneumatic force. A Cl1CClCV?LlVG-, 0, open ing with the pressure of air from the supply through the pipe 1), is provided in the pi pep, and near where the latter crosses the rackbar E it contains a shutoff valve, 1), having a handle, Z), which extends into the path of an arm, N, for turning it with the reciprocating movements of the rack-bar, and which as a simple contrivance for the purpose (though any other contrivance that will perform the object will answer and is intended 'to be included as within my invention) may comprise a piece of strapiron secured to the bar E and bent to extend vertically therefrom beyond the handle I), thence horizontally a distance correspolnling nearly with the length of back-stroke of the rack-bar and having its free extremity bent down to extend to or beyond the horizontal plane in which thehandle lies.

The box I) should be covered. Accordingly I provide a lid, 13,:t1angcd at its edges, which thus extend over those of the box and prevent the entrance of rain, dirt, and other foreign matter, and provided laterally with perforated cars which enter thebox and through which the ear-bolts (t may be passed to secure the lid in place.

The operation by means of compressed air is as follows: The parts are shown in the rela tive positions to which they are brought at the end of each operation of turnin a switch when the rack'bar E is at the end of its forward stroke. In moving to the position illustrated the device N engages with the handle b of the valve l) to open the latter, thereby permitting the compressed air which has been introduced into therecciver against the rubber diaphragm I) to expand it, and thus run the rack-bar forward. to escape the signal (I and actuate the latter, thereby notifying the operator at the air-pump that the distant mechanism has performed the work of throwing the switch. The escape of the air of expansion from the receiver by releasing the pressure against the diaphragm, which stretched itto the shape illl'lSi'lfttOtl, permits itto resume its normal or straight condition in the receiver in doing which it draws the rack-bar back to its initial position,causing the device N to close the valve 7). The return of the rack-bar does not rotate the shaft 1*, since it moves in the direction to cause the loose part of the clutch G to pass the rigid part thereof. In the back-stroke of the rack-bar the arm 0 engages with the arm g to rock the shaft L and raise the finger out of engagement with the cam I, the rise being sufficiently high to prevent the linger from again engaging with a cam till the double cam-wheel has been caused to make a semirevolution by the forward stroke of the rack-bar, which produces the following effects: lVhen it is desired to throw a switch, air is forced into the receiver (l against the diaphragnni), expanding or stretching the latter and moving the rack-bar forward, thereby causing the rack to turn the pinion E, and consequently the shaft 1 half-way around, which similarly turns the head F, and, through the medium of the connecting-bar A, throws the switch. The holes 7t and Ir. in the head are arranged at suitable distances from the center thereof to produce either of the two desired extents of throw most common to switches, depending upon which of the two holes is employed for effecting the connection with the head F of the connecting-bar. \Vhen the switch has been thrown and the signal (Z actuated in the manner described, it is iirmly locked, both by the engagement of the pawl 7t with the ratchetavheel II, which prevents back-turning of the rotary shaft l and, to prevent further turning of the shaft in the same direction, by the engagement of a cam on the cam device I with the bent end :1: of the finger g.

The form of receiver (7 shown best adapted to my purpose, though any other suitable form that will perform the work is included as within my invention.

As will be understood from the foregoing description, a partial turn of the shaft h throws a switch in one direction, while to throw it back the turning of the shaft is con tinned in the same direction.

The handle K and clutch G on the shaft F permit the latter to be operated by hand, when desired, a lever, 0, being then applied to the rock-shaft L to turn it sufficiently to raise the linger g, and thereby release the cam device I to permit the shaft 1* to be turned, as by forcing air into the receiver.

\Vhilc I thus show and describe my device as operated by pneumatic force, it may as readily be operated by other mechanical means; and I wish to be understood to include as within my invention any suitable means for actuating the rack-bar, whether the means be compressed-air mechanism or suitable lever mechanism.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a radread-switch appliance for throw- ITO ing a switch, the combination of a rotary shaft having connected with it eccentrically the switch connecting-bar, and revoluble in one direction to throw the switch alternately in opposite directions, a reciprocating rackbar engaging with the shaft, and means, substantially as described, connected with the rack-bar, to produce reciprocation thereof, substantially as set forth.

2. In a railroad-switch appliance for throwing a switch, the combination of a rotary shaft, F, having connected with it eccentrically the switch connecting-bar A and provided with a pinion, E, a reciprocating rack-bar, E, engaged by the pinion, and a clutch, G, on the shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a railroad-switch appliance for throwin g a switch, the combination of a rotary shaft, F, having connected with it eccentrically the switch connecting-bar A and provided with a pinion, E, a reciprocating rack-bar, E, engaged by the pinion, a clutch, G, on the shaft, an air-receiver, 0, having a diaphragm, D, connected with the rack-bar, and an air-conduit, 1), leading to a signal, (I, and provided with a valve, Z), opened and closed by the reciprocation of the rack-bar, substantially as described.

4. In a railroad-switch appliance for throwing a switch, the combination of a rotary shaft, F, provided at one end with a head, F, with which to pivotally connect the switch-bar A, a pinion, E, on the shaft, a reciprocating rack-bar, E, engaged by the pinion, and a clutch, G, on the shaft, substantially as described.

5. In a railroad switch appliance for throwing a switch, the combination of a box, 13, a rotary shaft, F, provided at one end with a head, F, having openings 7c and 7c at opposite sides of and different distances from its center, and with which to pivotally connect the switch-bar A at one of the said openings,

clutch, G, a ratchet-wheel, H, and a cam, I, a

reciprocating rack bar, E, engaged by the pinion and carrying a bent arm, N, and an arm, a, a dog, h, engaging with the ratchet, a rocking detent, M, having .a finger, g, normally engaging with the cam, and an arm, 9 extending into the path of the arm e, an airreceiver, 0, having a diaphragm, D, connected with the rack-bar, and an air-conduit,p,1eading to a signal, d, and provided with a valve, 1), having a handle, 1), extending into the path of the arm N, substantially as described.

7. A railroad-switch appliance for throwing a switch, comprising, in combination, a box, B, a rotary shaft, F, provided at one end with a head, F, with which to pivotally connect the switch-bar A, and carrying a pinion, E, a clutch, G, a ratchet-wheel, II, a cam, I, a clutch, G, and a lever, K, a reciprocating rack-bar, E, engaged by the pinion and carrying abent arm, N, and an arm, a, a dog, 77., engaging with the ratchet, a rocking detent, M, having a finger, g, normally engaging with the cam, and an arm, g extending into the path of the arm 6, an air-receiver, 0, having a diaphragm, D, connected with the rack-bar, and an airconduit, 19, leading to a signal, (Z, and provided with a valve, 1), having a handle, 1), extending into the path of the arm N, substantially as described.

MORTIMER B. MILLS. In presence of- J. W. DYRENFOR'IH, M. J. BowERs. 

